What Does Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Feel Like

Key Points About Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Could your poor diet be causing your fatigue?

Chronic fatigue syndrome is characterized by profound tiredness.
Symptoms often worsen with physical or mental activity.

In addition to severe fatigue, symptoms include light sensitivity, headache, muscle and joint pain, difficulty concentrating, mood swings, and depression.
Treatments may include medicines, exercise, supplements, and counseling.

How Can I Find Out If I Have It

The National Academy of Medicine has issued guidelines describing the combination of symptoms necessary for doctors to diagnose the condition. Unfortunately, there isn’t yet a diagnostic test that’s accurate enough to be useful.

Because extreme fatigue is a symptom of so many conditions, your doctor will want to rule out other conditions first, before considering a diagnosis of ME/CFS. You’ll need to get a complete checkup and talk with your doctor about all your symptoms.

Show Sources

What Else Could It Be

The symptoms of ME/CFS are similar to those of other conditions.

If you think you may have ME/CFS it’s important to see a GP to make sure you get a correct diagnosis. A GP should also be able to refer you to a ME/CFS specialist if they think it would help you.

Page last reviewed: 29 October 2021 Next review due: 29 October 2024

Don’t Miss: Timberland Pro Men’s Anti Fatigue Technology Replacement Insole

How The Lost Art Of Breathing Can Impact Sleep And Resilience

Another way that chronic stress makes us feel exhausted is by interfering with sleep, says Bufka. When were feeling stressed, our sleep can get disrupted, which naturally leads to feelings of tiredness and exhaustion, she says.

We really rely on sleep to recover each day, explains Epel. And so for many of us, even though we might think were sleeping the same number of hours, its not the same quality. It doesnt have the same restorative ability, because were getting less deep sleep, and we think that is tied to this chronic, subtle uncertainty, stress.

I Don’t Have Insurance How Can The Affordable Care Act Help Me

Pin by Patricia Sullivan on Living with Fibromyalgia

If you’re uninsured or have been denied coverage in the past for ME/CFS, the Health Insurance Marketplace may be able to provide you with access to affordable coverage. With health insurance plans in the Marketplace, you can no longer be refused coverage just because you have a pre-existing health condition. Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program also can’t refuse to cover you or charge you more because of a health condition. They also can’t charge women more than men. Learn more about the Affordable Care Act and the Health Insurance Marketplace at Healthcare.gov.

You May Like: Do Blood Clots Cause Fatigue

Support And Coping Skills

The young person with ME/CFS needs to learn to adapt to the reality of the illness, and integrate it into a meaningful life despite sometimes severe physical limitations. Above all, the young patient needs to develop a sense of achievement in her/his life, however, small.

All aspects of the young persons life might need to be addressed. She/he might need to deal not only with physical and cognitive limitations, but also with misunderstanding of the illness, fear, grief, anger, guilt and isolation. Sometimes having ME/CFS can result in abnormal illness behavior, such as denial of the reality of the illness.

A patients needs early in the illness might differ from her/his needs in later years, as health improvement is being achieved. Young patients should be encouraged to verbalize their fears and needs. Only the young person her/himself knows how she/he really feels. For instance, many young people fear getting behind their peers academically, never being able to catch up, and consequently losing friends. There should be opportunity to talk things through with a trusted professional who understands the illness. Although the parents can be present, the discussion should be primarily with the patient, so that she/he is also involved in decision making and feels part of the team approach. Teenagers usually need an opportunity for discussion without a parent present.

Our experience suggests that the following elements of basic supportive therapy can be helpful:

We recommend:

What Is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome /myalgic Encephalomyelitis

Chronic fatigue syndrome , also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis , is a chronic , complex and disabling illness that causes extreme fatigue and other symptoms that cannot be explained by any other medical condition.

If you have ME/CFS, you are likely to feel very tired, very often, even if you have not been active. You may also have a host of other symptoms.

Doctors do not yet understand the cause of ME/CFS, and there is no simple cure. If you or your child has ME/CFS, your doctor can suggest treatments you may find helpful.

Your Brain Feels Sluggish

Some people with chronic fatigue experience some cognitive impairment, according to the IOM panel. Mostly what happens is they have a delay in their ability to process information, said Keller. They can still process information, but they cant do it quickly. They may also have blips in their short-term memory, she added.

These problems with mental processeswhich may also include difficulty paying attention, problem solving, and planningcan make it difficult to hold down a job, or interact in social situations. And the issues get worse when youre stressed, or youve over-exerted yourself. Unsurprisingly, they can lead to feelings of isolation and hopelessness.

What Helps My Fatigue

How to Help Fatigue + Exhaustion from Adrenal fatigue

Even though nothing can completely alleviate my fatigue, there are some things that make it more manageable. If I dont treat it, it gets worse. To combat fatigue, my go-to habits include:

Getting regular exercise and movement
Eating healthy and stay hydrated

Keeping a sleep routine
Minimizing stress and keeping things simple
Tracking my health and keeping a symptom journal

Writing down things that are important
Reminding others to remind me about things that are important
Reading things three times over to understand or save for later

Being kind to myself: I am fighting to climb an invisible mountain
Taking certain vitamins and supplements like B complex, vitamin D, iron, and green tea

Dr. Barlett emphasized to me the importance of maintaining a sleep schedule. Ive spoken with many people who have experienced more fatigue during the pandemic, in part because they have felt more stressed, but also because their sleep schedules have become more erratic, she says. One of the best things we can do to ensure we stick to a regular sleep schedule by going to bed at the same time each night and get enough sleep. Too much screen time in the evening, heavy meals eaten late at night, and even strenuous exercise shortly before bed can also make it more difficult to fall asleep.

You can get creative with chores, she says. Dont pile all the laundry into one overflowing basket. Use it as an opportunity to make two trips and get a few more steps.

How Your Family Can Help

Always remember that youre not alone. Support from your family can make your condition easier to bear by spending time with you on good days as well as the bad days.

I try to make family members a partner in treatment, he says. When you just want to spend the day in bed watching TV because of fatigue or pain, a family member can encourage simple, fun activities to help get you moving.

Whether your diagnosis is chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia, a doctors role in treating the disease small. A doctor is there as the coach and can help you with the first 10% to 15% of improvement, while you have to help yourself manage the remaining 85% to 90%.

If youre suffering with chronic pain and/or fatigue, talk to your doctor. A diagnosis can put you in a better position to manage your symptoms even if there are still some mysteries surrounding your disease.

How Is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Diagnosed

Right now, there’s no test to tell if someone has chronic fatigue syndrome. Doctors ask a lot of questions . They also will do an exam.

Doctors also usually order blood, urine , or other tests to check for conditions that cause similar symptoms. They may send a person to see other specialists, such as a sleep specialist or a neurologist, to help with the diagnosis.

A diagnosis of CFS is made after the symptoms have been present for at least 6 months. It often takes that long for tests results to come back and for consultants to see the person. But there’s no need to wait 6 months to see a doctor and start treatment. Sometimes over the course of 6 months, the symptoms clear up, which might mean it was not CFS after all.

You May Like: Do I Have Chronic Fatigue

What Are The Symptoms Of Me/cfs

The key symptom or feature of ME/CFS is called post-exertional malaise . This means that your symptoms get worse after exercise or mental effort and dont improve after sleep or rest. PEM can be very disabling and can reduce your ability to function during regular daily activities. PEM is also common if you have long COVID.

ME/CFS may start suddenly or gradually over months or years. The level of activity that triggers your PEM will vary from person to person and can depend on how severe your condition is. For example, if your ME/CFS is relatively mild, you may experience PEM after going for a walk or a jog, but if your ME/CFS is severe, just reading a book or brushing your teeth could bring on your PEM. Your PEM may appear immediately after activity or may sometimes be delayed by up to 3 days. It can last for 24 hours or for a few days. A more serious relapse can last for weeks or months.

A common misconception is that people with ME/CFS have ‘chronic fatigue and are just very tired. Persistent and profound fatigue is just one symptom of ME/CFS.

Other common symptoms of ME/CFS, that may also increase with PEM include:

thinking problems, loss of memory or poor concentration

gastrointestinal changes such as nausea, constipation or diarrhoea
sensitivities to light or noise, food, medicines or chemicals
problems with temperature regulation

Everyone is different, so you might experience only mild symptoms, or you might develop more severe symptoms.

What Are The Symptoms

22 Metaphors That Describe What Fibromyalgia Feels Like

Symptoms can vary with ME/CFS. If you have ME/CFS:

You feel exhausted all or much of the time. And it doesn’t get better with rest.

Your symptoms often flare up after a mental or physical activity that used to be no problem for you. There may be a day or two delay before it starts. And it may take days, weeks, or more to feel better.
You have problems sleeping. Or you may wake up feeling tired or not rested.
It may be harder for you to think clearly, concentrate, and remember things.

You may feel dizzy, weak, or in more pain when you have been standing or sitting upright for a long time.
You may also have headaches, muscle and joint pain, a sore throat, and tender glands in your neck or armpits.

Depression is common with ME/CFS, and it can make your other symptoms worse.

Don’t Miss: How Do You Treat Adrenal Fatigue

What Can I Do About Fatigue

Recognise that the fatigue is real and be kind to yourself. Explain to your family, friends, and colleagues at work the impact the fatigue is having. Because fatigue is invisible, sometimes it is not properly understood. Until it is experienced it can be hard to understand the impact of fatigue and how debilitating it can be.

Get a good nights sleep. Fatigue feels much worse if your sleep pattern is also disturbed. Try to improve your sleep pattern by reading the sleeping well section.

Try relaxation techniques. These can help with fatigue as they promote a good sleep pattern, and can help reduce stress. Consider trying techniques such as mindful meditation, aromatherapy, yoga, tai chi, and other activities you find relaxing, such as reading or having a long shower or bath.

Plan, prioritise and delegate.

Plan. Plan each day in advance so that you can do what you need, and consider what can be delegated to other people. Build a regular routine, and try to avoid boom and bust behaviour, where you are very active on good days and then feel exhausted the following day. An activity diary can help with this.

Prioritise. You can also decide which activities that you are doing are most important to you. If this is a task which is very important do it when you have the most energy. If they are not important, but have to be done can you delegate them?

Eat well. A healthy diet can help. See the section on eating well.

Also Check: Can Low Blood Sugar Cause Fatigue

What Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Feels Like

Chronic fatigue syndrome is far different from normal tiredness due to physical or emotional stress. The debilitating condition can last for yearsor even a lifetimeand is not curable. Researchers do not understand what causes CFS/ME, which makes it difficult to diagnose and even harder to treat. Doctors currently focus on treating the symptoms of CFS/ME with medications.

Although no one knows how CFS/ME develops, researchers agree on a few facts. Nearly 2.5 million Americans may have the condition. The average age of onset is 33. The condition most commonly affects women between the ages of 40 and 60. Most CFS/ME patients are Caucasian, but because the disorder may be underreported it is hard to tell how people of other ethnicities may also have the syndrome.

One thing everyone agrees on is that CFS/ME is a real, debilitating illness. Heres what it feels like to live with chronic fatigue syndrome, and the symptoms that make it more than just feeling tired.

Also Check: Fatigue With High Blood Pressure

Facts About Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

The CDC estimates up to 2.5 million Americans have ME/CFS.
Anyone can get it, including children and teens.
It’s most common in women in their 40s and 50s.

Women are more likely to develop it than men.
Most cases are mild or moderate.
About 1 in 4 people with the condition have severe symptoms.

If you have mild ME/CFS, you can probably manage on your own. Moderate symptoms can make it hard for you to move around. For example, you might need to sleep in the afternoons.

Severe symptoms can impact your quality of life and abilities as badly as if you had lupus, heart disease, or rheumatoid arthritis.

What Are The Signs & Symptoms Of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Deeply Relaxing Stress Relief Meditation for Insight, Inner Wisdom & Calm, Improve Mental Health

Someone with chronic fatigue syndrome can have many possible symptoms. The most common ones include:

severe fatigue, which can make it hard to get out of bed and do normal daily activities
sleep problems, such as trouble falling or staying asleep, or not having a refreshing sleep
symptoms getting worse after physical or mental effort

symptoms or dizziness that get worse after standing up or sitting upright from a lying down position
problems with concentration and memory
headaches and stomachaches

Also Check: How To Treat Depression Fatigue

Living With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Being Diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome can be overwhelming. It is a complex illness without a known cure, and it can cause a range of symptoms that can make everyday activities difficult.

However, there are many ways to manage CFS and live a full life. One important step is to educate yourself about the condition and how it affects you.

This will help you to identify your triggers and develop strategies for dealing with them. There are also many helpful resources available, including support groups, online forums, and books.

In addition, exercise and relaxation techniques can be effective in managing symptoms. With proper self-care, people with CFS can lead fulfilling lives.

Severe Or Very Severe Cfs/me

If you have severe or very severe CFS/ME, you will need more frequent reviews and increased support and care. You should also be referred:

To a physiotherapist or occupational therapist working in an CFS specialist team for support on developing energy management plans.
To a dietician with a special interest in CFS.

The process and pace of any CBT should be adjusted to meet your needs. This might include shorter, less frequent sessions and longer-term goals.

You May Like: Women’s Fatigue Cargo Pants

Getting Older And Me/cfs

There is very little information on getting older and ME/CFS, however people can develop ME/CFS at any age. Additionally, all of the strategies such as pacing to reduce PEM and managing symptoms still apply. As people age, other problems with their health may also arise, so discussing any new symptoms with their doctor important.

Upper Cervical Care A Natural Way To Relieve Cfs

More and more patients seek natural relief options such as upper cervical care. Thats because such alternatives tend to provide lasting effects. Even after a few years, the adjustments made by an upper cervical chiropractor holds, helping you reduce or get rid of your symptoms.

The process is quite gentle. After a neck chiropractor assesses the degree of misalignment, they proceed to plan the adjustments needed. Through a series of adjustments, they can help you ease your bones into realigning on their own.

Think about how your life can turn around if you no longer experience debilitating symptoms. Without feeling exhausted all the time, you can significantly improve your productivity levels. You can also enjoy more happy time with your family or doing things that you love.

Find out more about this approach by contacting an upper cervical care doctor in your area today!

to schedule a consultation today.

You May Like: Ways To Help Chronic Fatigue